The skinny: Rose loves to get out on the fast break and is difficult to stop with his speed and strength. Plus, he can find the open man. The Bulls are not a dominant halfcourt team, but Rose uses the pick-and-roll and has options: Luol Deng and Kyle Korver at the three-point line and Carlos Boozer rolling to the rim or for a midrange jumper. Noah will pound the offensive glass. The Pacers can give teams trouble with a versatile lineup that goes big or small, but their success largely will be dependent on Granger's ability to produce against a stingy Bulls defense.

The skinny: As the season progressed, the Heat relied less on jump shots and attacked the basket. James, Bosh and Dwyane Wade are tough to stop when they go to the rim, and the Heat have attempted and made more free throws than any team in the East. The 76ers don't rely on any one player offensively, have a strong bench, don't turn the ball over (No. 2 in the league) and will make the Heat work. Coach Doug Collins has done a fantastic job, but he is running into a team with too much offense and too much defense for his young squad.

The skinny: It's the ultimate Garden party, featuring drastically different styles. For the Celtics, who have struggled down the stretch, it begins with team defense. Guarding New York's constant pick-and-rolls with accurate scorers won't be easy, but the Celtics have the personnel and smarts to make it difficult on the Knicks. New York will get points, but it faces a bigger issue when the Celtics have the ball. Led by PG Rajon Rondo, the Celtics run a methodical offense with inside and outside options using a variety of screens and ball movement.

Major injuries: Orlando — G J.J. Redick (hasn't played since March 9 with a strained abdomen muscle but hopes to be ready for Game 1); Atlanta — none

The skinny: The Magic's success starts with Howard on both ends of the court. With his size advantage, he should be able to control the paint when Atlanta has the ball, leaving it up to Orlando's defenders to limit Johnson and sixth-man extraordinaire Jamal Crawford on the wings. Atlanta must make Orlando work on defense and not rely on one-on-one offense. Horford will have his hands full with Howard in pick-and-roll situations and when the Magic give the ball to Howard in the low post. Orlando loves to spread the floor and when hitting three-pointers, the team is tough to beat.

Prediction: Orlando 4-3

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